TWO of Australia’s best squash players created more than a racquet at the Commercial Club last night.
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Matt Karwalski, who is normally found in Orlando, Florida, and London-based Rex Hedrick took time out to showcase their talent and spread the word about squash.
The two professionals, ranked inside the top-70 in the world, are back home in the European and US off-season, Karwalski still recovering from hip surgery that may have cost him a place on the Commonwealth Games team for Glasgow.
Karwalski, born in Wagga, said they wanted to give back to the sport that has let them see the world.
“We decided to find somewhere between our two Australian homes, Rex in Melbourne, me at the moment in Newcastle and the Border was perfect,” he said.
“We have to play overseas.
“The rankings demand it and it is the only way you can get to play these top-20, top-30 players in the world.”
Hedrick made the move to London almost 12 months ago and while his ranking hasn’t sky-rocketed he says his squash has improved.
“It’s a cycle you have to do well in tournaments to get into bigger tournaments, you just have to keep beating people above you to continue that upward trend,” he said.
“It’s impossible to get that exposure here in Australia and so when you are thrown into a game at that higher level you struggle to match the intensity.”
Karwalski will find out his Commonwealth Games fate on Friday, an appeal pending his original omission.
Karwalski and Hedrick will be at the SS and A club this afternoon and Corowa RSL tomorrow.